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Board approves notice to start Title 3 public comment period for broadband project; commissioners ask for financial details
Summary
The board approved starting a 45-day public-comment period required under Title 3 to pursue Title 3 funds for a proposed Columbia County broadband network; staff said the project estimate is roughly $33 million and flagged financing and letter-of-credit costs that will require additional county decisions.
On April 30 county staff asked the Board of County Commissioners to authorize public notices to begin a 45-day comment period under Title 3 (Secure Rural Schools) guidance so Columbia County can pursue using Title 3 funds for a broadband project.
Holly Miller and other county staff explained that Congress' recent reauthorization added a broadband category to Title 3, which allows certain rural counties to apply funds for projects that benefit schools or serviceable locations. Staff told the board that the county's preliminary design estimate for the broadband project is about $33 million; final design numbers were expected May 9.
Staff warned that Title 3 is a reimbursement program and that the county will need to provide cash flow, secure a performance letter of credit and likely use bond financing or other sources to cover gaps and match requirements. Miller said the county has contract commitments with consultants totaling roughly $95,000 and had spent approximately $150,000 on consulting to date. Staff also said the letter-of-credit requirement and other financing items could exceed the county's available Title 3 allocation (the county referenced $227,000 currently available for related items) and that municipal revenue bonds may be used to cover eligible match elements but cannot be used for marketing costs.
Commissioners pressed staff for a clearer estimate of additional funding the county would need to complete the network and asked staff to return with more concrete gap and financing scenarios. A 45-day public notice was put forward, seconded and approved; staff will publish the notice and run the public-comment period to meet the Title 3 initiation deadline. Staff said they will return May 14 with final design costs and a more detailed financing plan.
Commissioners emphasized the need to avoid beginning a large application and then being unable to fund and execute the project; staff said Title 3 rules do not create a clawback for reasonable expenditures, but the county should seek a clear plan for matching funds, letter-of-credit costs and bond financing before committing to large-scale buildout.
